Karla Semien, whose husband Darrell Semien died on Sunday after being diagnosed with cancer last month, said that when she tried to organise a burial at the Oaklin Springs cemetery in the city of Oberlin she was told it would not be possible.

Writing on Facebook, Semien said: “I honestly can’t believe this just happened. I just went to Oaklin Springs cemetery to pick a plot for my husband to be buried.

“I met with the lady out there and she said she could NOT sell me a plot because the cemetery is a WHITES ONLY cemetery.

“She even had paperwork on a clipboard showing me that only white human beings can be buried there.

“She stood in front of me and all my kids wow what a slap in the face. I just can’t believe in 2021 in Oberlin Louisiana this is happening.”

Creig Vizena, president of the Oaklin Springs Cemetery Association, told KPLC News that a clause in the cemetery contract gave “the right of burial of the remains of white human beings.” This dated back to the 1950s, he added, saying that he took “full responsibility for not reading the by-laws.”

Board members at the cemetery said they would make a decision on Thursday to resolve the issue.

Vizena added: “I even offered [the family], I can’t sell you one, but I can give you one of mine. That’s how strongly I feel about fixing it.”

Semien’s daughter, Kimberly Curly, told the TV channel: “Everybody dies. They bleed the same. You die. You’re the same color. Death has no color, so why should he be refused?”

The funeral for Semien, 55, will instead be held on Saturday at Oberlin Baptist Church.

In a message published on Facebook, Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes described Semien, who was an Allen Parish sheriff’s deputy, as a “loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, godfather and a friend to all.”

The note went on: “He worked very hard to provide for his family as a crane operator for 20 years. For the past 15 years, he became a police officer for the Reeves Police Department, as well as the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office and there he truly found his calling.

“He enjoyed fixing old cars, riding motorcycles, listening to zydeco music, dancing, fishing and being outdoors. But most importantly, he dearly loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchild.”